People from throughout Anguilla, including children from various schools, gave a rousing welcome to Their Royal Highnesses the Earl and Countess of Wessex, Prince Edward, and Princess Sophie, when they visited the island on Monday, March 5. Their visit was part of a Caribbean tour, representing Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second on her Diamond Jubilee.
The Earl publicly expressed thanks for the warm welcome they received when he delivered an address at Government House on Monday evening at a reception attended by a large number of invited guests.
Addressing the gathering, he said in part: “Thank you very much indeed for your very kind welcome here today. It has been a great pleasure to be here as part of this tour of the Caribbean and the realms and territories in this the Queen’s Jubilee Year…
“It is a very, very great pleasure and distinct honour for both of us to be here representing Her Majesty the Queen in this very special year. Obviously, the Queen is very sorry that she cannot be here in person but, as you probably realise, there is a concerted effort to include all the realms and territories in this very special year. You are probably aware that we are not the only ones in the area. My nephew, Prince Harry, is visiting one of the countries [Jamaica] and my cousin, the Duke of Gloucester, has just arrived in the region and is going to visit the Virgin Islands.”
The Earl, who said they came as very good friends, went on: “Thank you very much indeed for the fantastic and lovely welcome that we received from everybody wherever we have been. It has been a great pleasure, a fantastic day, exploring the island and meeting so many of you.” He thanked all those who had been involved in organising the events for the Queen’s Jubilee.
“Her Majesty, as you probably know, takes a very keen and special interest in the territories and, indeed, particularly here in Anguilla, and she extends her warmest wishes to you in this particular year,” the Earl went on. He said that the Queen had been “watching with considerable interest and pride how Anguilla has developed and evolved over the years.” He stated that she had been “touched by the fact that the people of Anguilla continue to regard her as their Head of State and Queen.”
He continued: “Although this year’s celebration is much about her reign of sixty years, it is also a celebration of this country, this island, and it is an important milestone in your story…It is an opportunity to look back and reflect on what has happened in those sixty years; to reflect on your achievements and to focus on the positive to give you that confidence to face the future…
“Her [Majesty’s] affection towards you remains as strong and constant as the day, sixty years ago, when she acceded to the Throne, and pledged to dedicate her life to the service of the people of her realms and territories. In this, her sixtieth year of her reign, Her Majesty wishes me to convey her fervent prayer that God’s blessings would continue to fall on the people of Anguilla, and success would accompany all your endeavours.”
Prior to his address, the Earl presented the insignia of the OBE Award to the Rt. Rev. Errol Brooks, Bishop of the Diocese of the Northeastern Caribbean and Aruba. Later, he met with a number of young people involved in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Programme.
The Earl and Countess came ashore at Road Bay at 9 ‘clock on Monday morning, having arrived there aboard the private yacht, MY Leander, to which they earlier transferred from the Navy ship RFA Fort Rosalie. They were met by Governor and Mrs. Alistair Harrison; Chief Minister and Mrs. Hubert Hughes; Minister of Social Development and Mrs. Edison Baird; and Commissioner of Police, Rudolph Proctor.
The Royal Visitors were driven to the Ronald Webster Park where they attended an Official Parade and where the Earl took the salute accompanied by the Governor and Chief Minister at the March Past. Earlier he inspected the parade. The parade comprised contingences from the Royal Anguilla Police Force, Her Majesty’s Prison, Scouts, Cub Scouts, Guides, Brownies, Pathfinders and Girls Brigade, under the command of Superintendent Elliott Forbes.
The Earl and Countess were welcomed, on behalf of the Government and people of Anguilla, by the Chairman of the ceremony, Foster Rogers. “Your Royal Highnesses, we welcome you to our island home today in commemoration of the sixtieth year of Her Majesty’s reign,” he said. “This morning, and also on June 4 of this year, we pause from our regular duties to recognise the importance of this milestone in Her Majesty’s life and in the annals of history. By this we mean, and recognise, that only one other Monarch, in the history of the United Kingdom, has reigned longer.
“Your Royal Highnesses, the cultural, environmental and economic diversity of the states and territories of the Commonwealth speaks to the richness of our heritage, the challenges of our history and the vast opportunities in our future – a future we must chart together for the mutual benefit of all our people.
“It is our ardent hope that the activities of today will open a door though which Your Royal Highnesses will view the Anguilla of the 21st century, experience our hospitality and recognise our potential. In turn, through this said portal, I am sure we will acquire your thoughts of and aspirations for us.”
During the ceremony, members of the Anguilla Mayoumba Folkloric Group gave a cultural performance which was well received by the Royal couple. After the event, they walked around greeting many persons and also mingled among schoolchildren, much to the delight of the youngsters.
The Royal Visit continued with a special service at St. Mary’s Anglican Church conducted by Bishop Brooks assisted by Reverend Menes Hodge. In his welcome remarks, Rev. Hodge offered the church’s best wishes to the Queen on her Diamond Jubilee, and acknowledged the presence of the Earl and Countess of Wessex as well as Governor Harrison, Chief Minister Hughes and other Government officials. The opening prayer on behalf of Her Majesty was delivered by Bishop Brooks. The first Scripture lesson was read by the Earl and the second by the Governor.
There were separate programmes for each of the Royal visitors following the service. The Earl visited Heritage Collection Museum at East End, where the Curator is Colville L. Petty,OBE. He then went on to Island Harbour where he unveiled a plaque commemorating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. He was assisted by the Elected Representative for the area, Othlyn Vanterpool. Also, at Island Harbour, the Earl met school children and other residents as well as fishermen. He and his wife later joined an Anguillian public and private sector group for lunch at Government House.
Other engagements of the Earl included a visit to the golf course; a meeting with a boat race crew at Meads Bay, where he observed of a race; and visits to the Blowing Point Youth Centre and the Anguilla Tennis Academy.
The programme for the Countess included visits to the Miriam Gumbs Senior Citizens Home; Blossom Centre for disabled children; WISE Centre for Vocational Training, where she observed the boat-building workshop and garden as well as met present and past students; the Anguilla Red Cross; Savanah Gallery; and Koal Keel, where she met members of the Soroptomists Club of Anguilla. She joined the Earl at the Tennis Academy following which they arrived at Road Bay to retire on the MY Leander before going to Government House for the reception and conclusion of their visit.
